The Lost Mistress

Robert Browning

All’s over, then: does truth sound bitter
   As one at first believes?
Hark, ’tis the sparrows’ good-night twitter
   About your cottage eaves!

And the leaf-buds on the vine are woolly,
   I noticed that, today;
One day more bursts them open fully
   – You know the red turns grey.

Tomorrow we meet the same then, dearest?
   May I take your hand in mine?
Mere friends are we, – well, friends the merest
   Keep much that I resign:

For each glance of the eye so bright and black,
   Though I keep with heart’s endeavor, –
Your voice, when you wish the snowdrops back,
   Though it stay in my soul for ever! –

Yet I will but say what mere friends say,
   Or only a thought stronger;
I will hold your hand but as long as all may,
   Or so very little longer!